The Goat Lady Chronicles: You've got to be kidding me!!

Trimming hooves. Don't be deceived, I'm not a pro, I have to ask Lori "how do we do this again?" every time! :D 

Life is full of adventures. Big or small, everyday has at least one! For the past year, one of my favorite adventures has been becoming a goat person. Last year, around June, I bought this beautiful, fawn colored Nubian goat and named her Tilly Mae. She lives at Dozen Acre Farm, which is about 3 minutes away from our house, with Jersey (an Alpine) and her half sister Ginny (Nubian). Goats are herd animals and love company, so it's always best for them to have buddies!

If you want to meet the whole gang, you can go here:   http://www.tractorsmith.com/2012/07/introducing.html
Be sure to also visit the Dozen Acre Farm page, because it's fabulous! ;)

Learning about goats has been interesting and fun! Books on the subject have been helpful, but I think the best information we've gleaned has been from other goat owners. Truth discovered: goat people are soo friendly and helpful!

Eli holding Mattie

The latest goat adventure has been kidding. In November, Lori called me and informed me that Tilly was in heat and we needed to get her to a breeder quickly. So off we went to Jamie's to breed her to one of the top LaMancha's in Maine- Dill.

Special moment with my girls! :D

Everything went successfully and we continued to wait and prepare for April, when Tilly would kid. We transitioned Tilly into the kidding pen about 5 days before her due date. The very next evening Lori called me and told me that she had been showing signs of prep for birth all day, which meant I should be ready to come when I got the phone call. I hung up the phone and 15 minutes later, Lori called again and said, out of breath, "You gotta come over here and bring the extension cord. There's already a baby goat in the pen." I dashed in my car, with a jumble of extension chords and hurried to the farm. When I arrived, there was an adorable little doeling! Praise God!

 Tilly is a wonderful mother. Though I really wanted to be there for the birth, I'm so thankful that she was able to give birth, clean up and care for her kid without any prompting! It is truly amazing how God has wired His creatures with instincts such as this- a testament to His might. Who could think this sort of thing evolved from a blob??

Most farmers have a theme for the livestock born during a certain season or year. Our theme is "M" this year, so my doeling's name is Mattie. I realized later on, after talking to some friends that Tilly and Mattie are both nick-names for Matilda- total Providence!

Mattie is going to a great home in May, but until then we get to watch her grow a little and experience the joys of kids for a little longer! Lord willing, we won't miss Jersey when she kids soon! :D